On Wednesday, 24 Cheshvan, NCFJE sponsored a luncheon for their tireless and hardworking Released Time instructors in Crown Heights.
City schools were closed Wednesday for Veteran’s Day, so the 250 instructors – Lubavitch Yeshiva bochurim who would normally be out and about Wednesday afternoon – used this opportunity to get together, reflect on the growth of the program and discuss goals for the future.
Over a delicious spread of salads, spreads, bagels, and assorted fish, beautifully prepared in Getzel’s shul, the bochurim heard inspirational words from the elderly chassid Rabbi Yisroel Gordon, who encouraged them to continue in their amazing work.
Rabbi Gordon shared stories of old and emphasized how important the Released Time program was to the Friediker Rebbe and the Rebbe, giving Jewish children in public schools a weekly dose of Judaism.
Fellow bochurim Dovid Margolin was the MC and Shimon Rivkin shared some tips on building up enrollment.
Rabbi Shazak Zirkind, the driving force behind the program, said Released Time broke the record of the last 30 years by having 690 children enrolled in the program and 43 children leaving schools to attend Yeshiva.
Zirkind set out a goal to have 770 children enrolled by Chanukah.
The bochurim greatly appreciated this event, as one Bochur stated, “it showed us where we got to and where we’re headed. It inspired us to continue with even more chayos.”
Rabbi Sadya Engel of Released Time and Yisroel Noach Majesky arranged the event.
it was done by itche. he always does a beautiful and tasteful job!
who set up? looks delicious!